Employer Sponsored Visas

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa is a temporary employer sponsored visa that allows you and your family to live and work in ‘regional Australia’. This visa requires you to be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a job in regional Australia.

If you are seeking assistance in this visa category, Discuss your Case with us today.

2 streams of this Visa

Employer Sponsored stream – For workers who have at least 3 years relevant work experience in same nominated occupation with your nominating employer.

 

Labour Agreement Stream – For workers who have at least 3 years relevant work experience with same employer in a specified occupation under the terms of a labour agreement, where your employer has labour agreement with the Australian government.

What is considered ‘Regional Australia’?

Most locations of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane considered designated regional areas for purpose of migration. Regional areas are defined on basis of following categories:

 

Category 2 regional areas – Cities and Major Regional Centres’ of Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart.

 

Category 3 regional areas – Only certain locations are considered regional or low-population growth metropolitan area in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania. The entirety of ACT, NT and Norfolk Island are deemed ‘regional or low-population growth metropolitan area’.

Advantages of Subclass 494 Visa

  • Work, study and live in n designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years
  • Enrol in Medicare
  • May be eligible to apply for permanent residency after 3 years of employment
  • Bring dependent family members to Australia
  • Travel in and out of Australia

Requirements for Subclass 494 Visa

There are a number of general requirements you must meet to be eligible for this visa which includes the following:

 

  • Nominate an occupation eligible for the 494 Visa
  • Be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a job in regional Australia
  • Meet competent English Requirement (i.e. IELTS score of 6 or more OR PTE score of 50 or more in each of the four components of the test – Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening OR an equivalent score in any other official English tests such as Cambridge Advanced English, Occupational English Test and TOEFL)
  • Be under 45 years of age
  • Have a positive skills assessment
  • Meet health and character requirements
  • Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused

What people says about us?

I have been with Milestone Education & Immigration Services Pty Ltd since June 2023, and they have been absolutely fantastic every step of the way!
When I first arrived in Australia on a tourist visa, I chose Milestone as my migration consultant. They successfully helped me convert it to a study visa and assigned me the best trade course that suited my goals perfectly.
After about 1.5 years, they guided me through the entire skills assessment process. Now, after completing 2.5 years in Australia, I have successfully obtained my positive skills assessment, my Temporary Resident (TR) visa has been granted, and most importantly, my wife and daughter have also received their TR visas along with me. This means the world to my family!
The Milestone team has provided constant support, clear guidance, and genuine care throughout the entire journey—no matter how many questions I had or how complex things got.
A huge thank you to the entire Milestones team for making all of this possible. I’m now looking forward to continuing my PR pathway with them, and I have full confidence they will handle it just as professionally.
Highly recommended to anyone serious about studying, working, or settling in Australia. You won’t find better support!
Thanks again, Milestone! 🙌

Gurjeet Singh

I am extremely thankful to Milestone team and specially Mr.Dildeep Sir for his outstanding support and throughout my TR 485 visa process. It was very challenging and stressful period, but his expertise guidance and dedication made all the difference. I got my TR 485 visa successfully with my family only because of MILESTONE. I highly recommend to everyone who wants good and trustworthy services please visit Milestone Education & Immigration services. Thanks 🙏

Mandeep Kaur